WASHINGTON, June 22 -- The AFSCME (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees - AFL-CIO) issued the following statement by President Lee Saunders on the draft version of the Senate health care repeal bill:

"The Senate health care bill was drafted in secret behind closed doors to avoid public scrutiny - and it shows.

"President Trump himself called the House version of this bill 'mean' and the Senate's proposal is just as heartless. This bill takes away health care from millions of people. Medicaid will be gutted. Americans who have health insurance through their employers could face soaring out-of-pocket costs for essential medical care. And the bill puts the insurance industry back in charge by letting them cap coverage and weakening protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

"Senators who want to improve health care for American families - and not just give tax handouts to CEOs and the super-wealthy - must vote NO on this bill."